ANU School of Medicine and Psychology

A growing national push for paid placements in allied health has gained strong support from the psychology community. For students like Elizabeth Alfonso from ANU, the change could ease financial stress and improve access to the profession. With unpaid placements putting pressure on future psychologists, advocates say paid options are key to meeting future workforce needs. https://medicine-psychology.anu.edu.au/news-events/news/cost-learning-students-experience-amplifies-calls-paid-placements

How do you reduce delirium and improve dementia care in hospitals?

The August edition of The Health Advocate, spotlights a research collaboration led by Clinical Nurse Consultant Cath Bateman, The Australian National University, and Alzheimer’s NSW. What started as a hospital-based pilot has grown into a nationally available, evidence-based volunteer training program.

Read more about how this ANU-supported innovation is scaling impact across Australia 👉 https://lnkd.in/gDbegYN5

📣 The August 2025 issue of The Health Advocate is now live!

This edition focuses on aged care, from policy reform to grassroots innovation, exploring how we can build a system that delivers care with dignity, equity, and compassion.

🔍 Featured highlights include:

- The ELDAC series on the essential role of palliative care and the value of digital knowledge platforms.
- Golden Angels: A volunteer-led initiative transforming dementia care and patient experience.
- A call to action on the Senior Dental Benefits Scheme.

In his CEO update, The Age for Change, AHHA CEO Tony Farley reflects on the shared needs of older Australians and the importance of integrated, person-centred care, calling for collaboration across sectors to ensure aged care reform is not only sustainable but deeply human.

📖 Read the full issue here: https://online.fliphtml5.com/qfuil/roaf/ =1

PROVISIONAL DRIVERS WANTED – Help us understand safe driving

Researchers at the Australian National University are studying what makes provisional drivers safer behind the wheel.

We're looking for:
- Provisional drivers aged 17–29
- With normal or corrected vision
- Holding a valid Australian provisional license

You'll complete fun, computer-based driving and thinking tasks to help improve road safety across the ACT.

Receive: $40 for your time, Time: 90–120 mins, Location: ANU Psychology Building ( #39)

Interested? Contact Esther at [email protected]

This project is supported by the ACT Government through the Road Safety Fund. Ethics approved: 2024/1159

Is your preschool or primary school child struggling with anxiety or emotional regulation?

The ANU Psychology Clinic offers low-cost, evidence-based therapy for children and their families in a safe and caring environment. Therapy is provided by provisional psychologists, supervised by experienced clinical psychologists. Call us for a free intake phone call to understand your child's needs and to see if our service is the right fit. (02) 6125 8498. We're located at ANU campus, Acton.

If your child is in distress, please contact your GP or the Access Mental Health team for support on 1800 629 354.

https://medicine-psychology.anu.edu.au/services/anu-psychology-clinic

ANU School of Medicine and Psychology A teaching and research school of medicine. TEQSA PRV12002 (Australian University), CRICOS ID 00120C

In a first of its kind study, based on an Australian population, Dr Sumeet Rai and colleagues have shed new light on the emotional toll experienced by family members caring for survivors of intensive care — revealing powerful insights into a little-understood burden. https://medicine-psychology.anu.edu.au/news-events/news/carers-need-mental-health-support-too

Canberra Health Services

Living with a significant medical condition can impact how you think and feel about your body.

If you are an adult living in the ACT who has been diagnosed with a significant medical condition, then Empower: Body Acceptance Skills might be for you.

Facilitated by psychologists, the program consists of 8 sessions over a 12-week period. You will gain knowledge and learn skills to promote positive body image, health and wellbeing in a supportive small group setting.

For more information about the program or to register your interest in participating, please call ANU Psychology clinic on (02) 6125 8498. https://medicine-psychology.anu.edu.au/research/research-projects/building-positive-body-image

Dr Robin Vlieger, a neuroscientist, is harnessing the power of machine learning and deep learning to unravel the complexities of neurological disorders like Parkinson’s Disease and Multiple Sclerosis. His research is paving the way for smarter, faster diagnoses and better patient outcomes.

AI supports deeper understanding of neurological disorders Dr. Robin Vlieger, a neuroscientist, is harnessing the power of machine learning and deep learning to unravel the complexities of neurological disorders like Parkinson’s Disease and Multiple Sclerosis — paving the way for smarter, faster diagnoses and better patient outcomes.

#crazysocks4docs - a day that draws attention to the mental health and wellbeing of our doctors, our future doctors, and all health care professionals. Our staff (and pups) have donned their crazy socks to raise awareness and let our people know it's OK to not be Ok, and to ask for help.

Today is - a day that draws attention to the mental health and wellbeing of our doctors, our future doctors, and all health care professionals.

Our staff (and pups) have donned their crazy socks to raise awareness and let our people know it's OK to not be Ok, and to ask for help.

For our students and clinicians - resources and contact details are available on the Student Support Centre of our website, through the university website, through the ANU Employee Assistance Program, or talk to a supervisor or colleague.

Hospital volunteers supporting people living with dementia will soon have access to an interactive online training course being developed by a team led by Associate Professor Katrina Anderson. The evidence-based training will support higher quality acute hospital care across Australia. https://medicine-psychology.anu.edu.au/research/research-projects/improving-person-centred-care-hospitals-transitioning-volunteer-dementia

You know your attachment style, your love language, and you can spot all the red flags. But when it comes to predicting if your relationship will truly stand the test of time, there’s one element you might have overlooked.

According to Professor Tegan Cruwys from the ANU School of Medicine and Psychology, it’s the strength of your collective identity – AKA your 'we-ness'.

Read all about it here: https://science.anu.edu.au/news-events/news/secret-lasting-relationship-it-might-be-your-big-we-ness

Is your child getting bullied online? We asked child psychologist, Dr Dave Pasalich, for advice.

Dr Pasalich from ANU School of Medicine and Psychology says parents also have an important role to play in addressing online bullying.

Read more: https://science.anu.edu.au/news-events/news/your-child-getting-bullied-online-we-asked-child-psychologist-advice